It sounds like a "deck prism". (I have an inverted one on my side board on a light stand). They are a triangular peice of glass, installed flat into the top of the deck, with the lower part extending below deck , and using the prisim effect to intesify and cast light below decks on sailing ships.

Looks like the same idea by different means. When did they tart using this? Mid to late 1800s I'd guess.

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"Mighty is the Thread! Great are its works and insane are its inhabitants!" -Brother Mynok

Yes. They make 'solar tubes' that are like potentiated sunlights that have much the same effect. They're pretty impressive in their ability to brighten up an otherwise dim room.

Very cool! Looks like an awesome alternative to running electric lights in daytime. Now if I can only punch a couple of holes in my ceiling.....

Yes. They're particularly useful in areas that you ALWAYS want lit during the daytime (kitchen, bathrooms, hallways), moreso useful if you're in a perpetually sunny climate (e.g., SoCal). So what are you waiting for? Start punching holes in yer roof! Who cares if it's not really your house and all?

Yes. They make 'solar tubes' that are like potentiated sunlights that have much the same effect. They're pretty impressive in their ability to brighten up an otherwise dim room.

Very cool! Looks like an awesome alternative to running electric lights in daytime. Now if I can only punch a couple of holes in my ceiling.....

Yes. They're particularly useful in areas that you ALWAYS want lit during the daytime (kitchen, bathrooms, hallways), moreso useful if you're in a perpetually sunny climate (e.g., SoCal). So what are you waiting for? Start punching holes in yer roof! Who cares if it's not really your house and all?

I'm sorely tempted.

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"Mighty is the Thread! Great are its works and insane are its inhabitants!" -Brother Mynok

It sounds like a "deck prism". (I have an inverted one on my side board on a light stand). They are a triangular peice of glass, installed flat into the top of the deck, with the lower part extending below deck , and using the prisim effect to intesify and cast light below decks on sailing ships.

Looks like the same idea by different means. When did they tart using this? Mid to late 1800s I'd guess.

The oldest one that we know of is In the Morgan at the old whaling museums. It's belived to be centuries older, but evidence is scarce. I know old warships have been said to have employed something like it from rooms outside of leading into magazines (powered by some form of "safety latern") , but evidence is scarce. Sorry.

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"Geezerhood is a state of mind, attained by being largely out of yours". AW1Steve

"Quit whining and play the game. Or go home". My 7th grade baseball coach. It applies well to WITP AE players.

The oldest one that we know of is In the Morgan at the old whaling museums. It's belived to be centuries older, but evidence is scarce. I know old warships have been said to have employed something like it from rooms outside of leading into magazines (powered by some form of "safety latern") , but evidence is scarce. Sorry.

O'Brien mentions something called a "dark lantern". My guess is that it was a candle of oil wick enclosed in some sort of device which would not expose the open flame to air even if dropped.

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"Mighty is the Thread! Great are its works and insane are its inhabitants!" -Brother Mynok